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The Purple Guide
  • The Purple Guide
  • Purple Guide Lite
  • Other Guidance
    • THE WELFARE HANDBOOK
    • Introduction
    • Part One – Planning & preparing to provide a welfare service
    • Part Two – Welfare team guidelines
    • Part Three – Forms
    • FURTHER READING
    • The Circus Safety Toolkit
    • Martyn's Law
    • Ban on Single Use Plastics and Polystyrene
    • Making Sure Those Working for You are Allowed to Work
  • FAQs
  • Subscribe
  • Login

Crowd Management

Updated: 8 December 2025

Please note: The information contained in this chapter sets out good practice that should be considered by event organisers. However, it is industry guidance and does not necessarily cover everything that organisers need to consider for a particular event.

Crowd management and planning relate to all aspects of ensuring that those attending an event, including those working there, are kept safe.   This process starts with how people will access the event and move around the site to how they depart, particularly in an emergency.   Keeping people properly informed and directed are key elements in creating a safe event environment.   The principles of crowd management planning apply even for small, free to enter and open access events taking place in streets or in public open spaces.

Évacuation

Logistics

Crowd Management Plan*

Event Centre & Multi-Agency Liaison

Crowd Management Suppliers

Crowd Management Personnel*

Paid Crowd Management Personnel

The Role of Security

Security & Stewards

Role of Volunteers

Education, Training & Briefing Personnel

Conduct of Crowd Management Personnel

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In this chapter

  • Key Points
  • Introduction
  • Planning
  • Statement of Intent
  • Risk Assessment
  • Permanent Venues
  • Greenfield Sites
  • Public Accessible Locations
  • Temporary Structures
  • Infrastructure
  • Performer Activity
  • Audience Demographics
  • VIPs & Guests
  • Safety Capacity Limits
  • Crowd Dynamics & Risk Modelling
  • Management Structure
  • Communication Systems
  • Crowd Monitoring
  • Ingress & Egress Checks
  • Admission & Ticketing Policies
  • Guest/VIP Access & Accreditation
  • People with Additional Needs
  • Phased Arrivals & Departures
  • Queuing Systems
  • All Standing Viewing Areas
  • Internal Circulation
  • Exits
  • Emergency Arrangements
  • Show Stop
  • Postponement & Cancellation
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Acknowledgements

Mark Hamilton - International Centre for Crowd Management & Security Studies- chair
Teresa Moore - Bucks New University
Tony Ball - Show and Event Security 
Steve Allen - Risks Contained 
Tom Clements - Specialized Security
Adrian Hodgson - Royal Borough Kensington and Chelsea
Ian Donaldson - Festival Republic/CPA
Gary Masters - UK Crowd Management Association

Chair:  Eric Stuart QPM: UKCMA Chair

Contributors: 

Annemarie Chebib: UKCMA Secretary 

Tom Clements Dip.ESM: Specialized Security / National Outdoor Events Association

Ian Donaldson: Festival Republic

Mark Hamilton: Director with SecuriGroup Ltd

Mark McQuade: FGH Security 

Russ Phillips; Director, Island Site Protective 

Keith Still: Crowd Risk Analysis Ltd

Editor:

Annemarie Chebib: UKCMA Secretary 

Editorial Support:

Ben Kidd: Kidd Studios

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